Breast lipomodelling doesn't interfere with mammograms

The arrow on this mammogram points to a small cancerous lesion. A lesion is an area of abnormal tissue change. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Lipomodelling - a relatively new approach to breast augmentation in which fat is transferred to the breasts from other parts of the body - doesn't interfere with routine screening mammograms, reports a study in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

"Radiographic follow-up of breasts treated with fat grafting is not problematic and should not be a hindrance to the procedure," concludes the new study, led by Michaël Veber, MD, of University of Lyon-Léon Bérard Cancer Centre, France.

No increase in abnormal mammogram results after breast 'lipomodelling'

Originally developed for breast reconstruction surgery, lipomodelling is now being used by some plastic surgeons for cosmetic breast shaping. In this procedure, small amounts of fat are taken from one part of the woman's body (such as the hips or thighs) and transferred (grafted) to the breasts. The new study was designed to determine whether lipomodelling caused any problems with routine mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

First, the researchers reviewed mammograms performed an average of 16 months after lipomodelling in 31 women. In more than half of cases, the mammograms showed no abnormalities.

No significant differences

Some women had small calcifications or cysts as after-effects of the fat transfer procedure. A few women had other abnormalities related to scarring from their breast surgery. However, none of these changes were considered likely to raise suspicions of breast cancer on routine mammograms.

Dr. Veber and colleagues then analysed mammograms performed before and after lipomodelling in 20 women. Based on standard criteria, there were no significant differences in the mammographic results from before to after the procedure. In particular, there was no increase in abnormal results that would spur suspicion of breast cancer.

There were no major changes in breast density after lipomodelling. Perhaps most importantly, it was no more difficult to perform and interpret follow-up mammograms in breasts that had undergone the procedure.

Testing prior to the procedure will provide reassurance

Although the study is only preliminary, it provides important information for health care professionals performing mammograms in women who have undergone this new approach to breast augmentation. Dr. Veber and co-authors suggest that women undergoing lipomodelling have a complete evaluation-including mammograms - before and after the procedure. This will provide reassurance that any new abnormalities are a result of the lipomodelling procedure, rather than a possible sign of breast cancer.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.